Bathtub fixture having double-acting shower head



April 1965 J. M. CANAVAN 3,176,924

BATHTUB FIXTURE HAVING DOUBLE-ACTING SHOWER HEAD Filed July 25, 1962 s sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR. JOSEPH M. CANAL AN April 6, 1965 J. M. CANAVAN 3,176,924

BATHTUB FIXTURE HAVING DOUBLE-ACTING SHOWER HEAD Filed July 25, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 (Aw W as 223 INVENTOR.

JOSEPH M. CANAVAN 1 BY (3 j BUG/(HORN, BLORE, KLARQU/ST 8 SBMKMAN ATTORNEYS April 6, 1965 J. M. CANAVAN 3,176,924

BATHTUB FIXTURE HAVING DOUBLE-ACTING SHOWER HEAD Filed July 25, 1962 S Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. /3

M/VE/VTOR.

JOSEPH M. CANAVAN a: g 2 Br BUCKHORN, CHEATHAM a BLORE ATTORNEYS p 5, 1965 J. M. CANAVAN 3,176,924

BATHTUB FIXTURE HAVING DOUBLE-ACTING SHOWER HEAD Filed July 25, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 F76. /9 FIG 20 456 //V VE/V TOR.

JOSEPH M CANAVAN BUCKHORN, CHEATHAM 8 BLORE ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,176,924 BATHTUB FBKTURE HAVHJG DGUBLE-ACHNG SHOWER HEAD Joseph M. Canavan, 370 Newport Ava, l-lermiston, Greg. Filed July 25, 1962, Ser. No. 213,846 11 Claims. (Cl. 239-d44) This invention relates to tub fixtures and particularly to a tub fixture having aspray head. This application is a continuation-in-part of my prior application entitled Bathtub Fixture Having Double-Acting Shower Head, Serial No. 783,468, filed December 29, 1958, now abancloned. Such prior application is a continuation-in-part of my prior application entitled Bathtub Fixture Having Adjustable Spray Head, Serial No. 534,812, filed September 16, 1955, now abandoned.

Prior bathtub fixtures having adjustable shower or spray head units, other than the ones disclosed in my applications above identified, have been very cumbersome, bulky and unsightly.

It is a main object of the present invention to provide a very compact tub fixture having an adjustable spray head, and particularly such a fixture having a spray head which is normally substantially concealed, but which may be extended or projected to a position where it is adjustable for directing spray in various directions onto the tub or the occupant of the tub.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a tub fixture of the type just described in which the spray head attachment is automatically projected when water is supplied to the spray head.

Another object or" the present invention is to provide a tub fixture having an adjustable spray head attachment which is simple and inexpensive in construction.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a tub fixture having an adjustable spray head, and equipped with a valve which permits substantially full flow of water to the outlet from the tub fixture in one position of the valve and in another position diverts water in restricted quantities to the spray head.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fixture of the character under consideration having valve means facilitating retraction of the spray head when desired.

The tub fixture or" the present invention is characterized by including a fixture body or spout having a main passage for the flow of water from a supply pipe to a tubfilling spent, and a second passage communicating with the main passage in which a spnay head unit is movable from an inward inoperative concealed position to a projected exposed position, where it is adjustable to spray water in various directions over the tub or on an occupant of the tub.

Various other objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FlG. l is a side view in elevation of a tub fixture embodyin the concepts of the present invention, parts being rolren away for convenience inillustration, the spray head unit being disposed in its concealed inoperative position;

PEG. 2 is a front view or": the fixture;

PEG. 3 is a fragmentary view of the fixture disclosed in FIG. 1, showing the spray head unit in its projected operative position;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the valve of the fixture;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 55 of FIG. 2, showing part of the construction of the valve operating handle of the fixture;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a modified form of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a vertical section on an enlarged scale taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

EJ7552 5 Patented Apr. 6, 1965 FIG. 8 is a horizontal section taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7; 7

FIG. 9 is a development of the surface of a valve element;

FIG. 10 is a vertical section taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 but showing the parts in difierent positions of operation;

FIG. 12 is a horizontal section taken along line 1212 of PEG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a vertical longitudinal midsectional view of the preferred form of fixture;

FIG. 14 is a front elevational view of the fixture;

FIG. 15 is a vertical section taken along line 115 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a. vertical section taken along line 1616 of H6. 13;

FIG. 17 is a vertical section taken along line 1717 of FIG. 13;

FIG. 18 is a vertical longitudinal midsectional view of a modified form of the invention;

MG. 19 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken along line l919 of FIG. 18; and

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary vertical section taken along line ilk-2 d of FIG. 18.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, the tub fixture disclosed includes a fixture body in the form of a spout 10 havinga base end for engagement with a wall 11. The spout is formed with a main passage 13 of circular cross section (not so shown in the drawings) which in the unmounted condition of the fixture communicates with a cavity 14 in the base end of the spout. The passage 13 terminates at the left-hand end thereof, as the parts are shown in FIG 1, in a tub-fitting spout outlet 15. The walls of the passage 13 are threaded at the rear portion thereof so that the spout may be connected to a Water supply pipe 17 projecting from the wall 11.

Rotatably mounted in the passage 13 is a sleeve valve 21 having its rear or right-hand end (FIG. 1) open and its forward end closed by a disk-shaped portion 23. The side wall of the sleeve is formed with a large opening or port 25 which registers with the outlet 15 in one rotary position of the sleeve to allow water to pass through the valve to the outlet. The side wall of the sleeve valve 21 is also formed with a relatively narrow slot 31 for a purpose to presently appear. Slot 31 is shown as being an extension of port 25. v

A stud 33 is formed as an integral axial extension of the sleeve valve and projects through an opening in the forward wall of the spout. On O-ring seal 35 is provided around the stud to prevent leakage between the stud and the body of the fixture. A valve operating handle 37 is secured to the free end of the stud 33 by screw 39 and is provided with an elastorner detent 31 (FIG. 5) which is adapted selectively to seat in one of three spaced recesses 43 formed in the front wall of the spout. More will presently be said about the detent and the recesses.

The fixture body preferably is formed with fiat sides 47, see FIG. 2, so that a wrench may be applied to such fiat surfaces in mounting the body on the supply pipe 17.

The spout or fixture body is formed with a second cylindrical passage 61 located above the first passage 13 and generally parallel thereto, and thus the passage 61 extends generally longitudinally of the spout or fixture body. Passage 61 is blind at its right-hand end, as the parts are shown in FIG. 1, but opens through the front wall of the spout. The rear or right-hand end of the passage 61 is connected to the main passage 13 by a small port 63, and the sleeve valve 21 is formed with a small opening which is adapted to register with the port 63 when the sleeve valve is in the position shown in FIG. 1, that is, in position for allowing the discharge of water through the outlet'15. The purpose of this small opening will presentlybe explained. I

A spray head unit is mounted in passage 61 for movement from the inner substantially concealed position of FIG. 1 to the forward or outer exposed position of FIG. 3. The spray head unit includes a piston 67 having a pair of elastomer O-rings 69 fitting in an annular groove therearound and against the wall of the passage 61 toform a seal therebetween.

The piston 67 is centrally apertured and fixed within this I aperture is the shank 71 of a ball 73, the ball and shank being formed with a central passageway 75. Fitting onto the ball 73 is 'a socket 77 provided by the rear end of a generally cylindrical spray head housing 79. The right-hand end of the housing is formed with a circular opening 81 to enable the housing to have universal movement on the ball 73 when the spray'headis'moved outwardly to the FIG. 3 exposed position.

An O-ring 85 fits within an annular groove formed in the walls of passage 61 and slidably and sealingly engages the .outer wall of the housing 79, and in addition serves as a guide for the housing. A relief hole 8'7 is formed in a forward projecting nose portion formed on the spout or tub fixture body and communicates with the space between the housing 79 and the walls of passage 61 to keep thecharnber drained and also to enable air readily to be drawn into such space or expelled therefrom during movement ofthe piston 67 from an outward to an inward position and vice versa.

Threadedly fitting within the front end of the housing 79 is a. spray forming assemblyincluding a cup-shaped member 91 having a plurality of ports 93 formed in the base thereof and having the inner wall surface thereof formed with a frust'o-conical portion against which an insert 95 fits. The insert is formed in its periphery with a plurality of equally spaced, axially extending grooves 97. The insert is held in place by a screw 99 and cooperates with the cup-shaped member so that the'grooves 97 provide a plurality'of fine water outlets which form the desired spray when water is supplied to the spray-formin g assembly through the passageway 75 in the ball 73. A compression spring 101 is arranged between the cup-shaped member 91' and a washer 103 which bears against the ball 73.

With the parts in the positions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, water supplied through the supply pipe 17 will flow through the sleeve valve 21 and out through the port or opening 25, in the valve, and through the outlet 15. It is pointed out that the special valve provided enables full flow of water through the outlet 15 because of the thinness of the walls of the sleeve valve; Water will not flow through the port 65 into passage 61 because, first the pressure of the water at this point is low and, secondly, the right-hand edge portion of the sleeve valve diverts the water inwardly and thus tends to create a void over the relief hole 65.

If it is desired to provide a spray, the handle 37 is swung from the position shown in FIG. 2, 180 degrees so that the detent 41 rests in the opposite recess 43 and the sleeve valve is positioned with its slot 3-1 in alignment with the the water from supply pipe 17 may be cut on by operation of the valves conventionally provided in association with the tub fixture.

The fixture of the present invention is also adapted to permit water to be conducted toan overhead shower arrangement if such an arrangement is provided. Assuming that one is provided, it would have a connection with the supply pipe 17 and water would normally be conducted to the overhead shower pipe by manual operation of a valve which is frequently provided on conventional tub spouts. In order to conduct water to an overhead shower pipe, it is only necessary, with the valve of the present invention, to swing the handle 37 to a position where the detent 41 registers with the middle recess 43. In this position, the outlet 15 is closed by the wall of the sleeve valve and the valve has not been turned quite enough to bring the slot 31 into register with the port 63, so that the entire spout is closed. Thus, water will be forced into the overhead shower pipe thus enabling the occupant to have the benefit of an overhead shower. However, if the occupant desires to wash his hair, clean the tub or bathe small children, he will find the spray head unit of the present invention more convenient. The

structure described in the above paragraph is not shown in the drawings.

General description of modified form of invention which slidably and sealingly engages the walls of the passure can be directed rearwardly behind the rear face of port 63 and a wall portion in closed relation over the outlet 15. This action forces the water supplied from the pipe 17 into the port 63 and through the ball and socket joint to the spray-forming assembly to provide a spray. Theparts are so dimensioned that a sufficient pressure is built up behind piston 67 to force the piston and thus the a second piston which is connected to the first piston 67a by a pair of rods 107 which are best shown in FIG. 8. Also by proper manipulation. of the valve assembly 1112, the piston will cause the spray head unit to be retracted.

Specific description The passage 61a is a through passage, and the rear end of this passage is closed by a disk 111 sealingly fitting within the passageway 61a against a shoulder 113 formed in the passageway. The disk is retained in place by a circular fitting 115 which fits within a large circular open ing formed in the base end of the body 10a and against a shoulder 117 in this opening. A retaining ring 119 with appropriate tool slots 120 threads into the rear end of the body 10a to hold the fitting 115 in place. The fitting is provided with a rearwardly projecting internally threaded portion 121 for mounting on a water supply pipe, not shown.

The fitting also has a lower forwardly projecting tubular portion 122 sealingly extending into the rear end of the passage 1301 so that water'from the supply pipe is directed into the passage 13a.

The'valve assembly 102 includes a movable valve element 131 of generally ovate shape, as is apparent from FIG. 7. A valve stem 133 projects into a cylindrical bore 135 formed in the valve element and threads into a cylindrical nut 137 fitting in the bore 135; The stem is pro vided with a knob 139 at its upper end by which the valve (3 element may be raised from its lower position in FIG. to its raised position in FIG. 11 to dispose the valve ele ment in register with a generally ovate opening 1 2-1 formed in a seat member 143 to close the opening. The seat member sealingly fits within the passageway 13a against a shoulder 145' formed at the forward end of the passage.

The seat member is provided with a drain hole 147 which is disposed in register with a drain hole 14-9 formed in a wall 151 of the body 16 a. This wall 151 separates the passages 61a and 13a. Further mention of the drain holes will be made later.

The valve assembly further includes a second valve element 161 of cylindrical form which is provided with a vertical bore 163 of larger diameter than the stem 133 and through which the stem extends. The valve element 161 is mounted for turning movement about its vertical axis, and to this end, the lower portion of the valve e ement sealingly projects into an opening formed in the wall 151, and the upper portion of the vflve element is reduced and rotatably projects through a mounting nut 165. The mounting nut threadedly fits within a hole formed in a top Wall 167 of the body itta in sealing engagement with this wall and also with the upper redumd portion of the valve element 161.

The base of a handle 171 is formed with a recess to iit over the nut 165 and also over the upper end of the valve element 161. A packing nut 1'73 threadedly fits into a threaded recess formed in the upper end of the valve elements 161 and presses packing 175 into engagement with the stem 133 to form a seal therewith. The packing not also has an upper fiange which holds the handle 171 in place in slight spaced relation with respect to the body 1 3:: and also the nut 165. The handle facilitates turning the valve element 161 about its vertical axis.

The valve element 161 rotatably fits within a vertical bore formed in a valve body 181 which is of cylindrical form to cooperatively fit in sealing relation within the passage 61:: with the axis of the valve body coinciding with the axis of the passage.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 12, the valve element 161 has a flange 1S3 adjacent the upper end of the valve element which rests on a shoulder formed on the interior of the body 181 to support the valve element 161.

A stop pin 135 on the body 1&1 projects into an arcuate recess 187 formed in the flange 183 as is apparent from FIG. 12. The recess has an arcuate length of 90 degrees plus the diameter of the pin, so that the valve element may be swung 90 degrees from the position shown in FIG. 10 to the position shown in FIG. 11.

The valve element 161 is formed with a port 1%, best shown in FIG. 10, which communicates with the bore 163 of the valve element and also with a port 1% formed in the valve body 181, when the valve element is disposed in its FIG. 10 position. It is apparent that water under pressure can pass upwardly into the bore 163 and rearwardly through the ports 191 and 3 to be effective against the piston 195, when the valve element 161 is in its FIG. 10 position.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the valve element 161 is 1 also formed on its exterior surface with an irregular groove including an upwardly extending vertical portion 2E3, a circumferential portion 205, and a downwardly extending vertical portion 207, which is located 180 degrees from the vertical portion 26* The groove also includes a circumferential portion 2&9 extending in opposite directions an arcuate extent of 90 degrees from the lower end of the vertical groove portion 287. In other words, the circumferential portion 299 has an arcuate length of 180 degrees.

As is evident from FIG. 10, the lower end of the groove portion 293 communicates with the interior of a tube 211 which fits within an appropriate bore formed in the valve body 181. The tube sealingly and slidably projects through the piston 165 and has an oblique right-hand end r 6 r face next to the disk 111 for a purpose to be described presently.

It is further apparent from FIG. 10 that the valve element groove extends around the valve and then downwardly so that the lower end of the groove portion 297 is placed in communication with an angular port 213 formed in the valve body 181, the angular port communicating with the drain holes 1 19 and 147, previously mentioned.

When the valve element 161 is turned 90 degrees to its PIG. ll position, a port 221 formed in the valve element communicates with the interior of the tube 211, and a port 223 communicates with a port 225 formed in the valve body. The port 225 communicates with the interior of the forward portion of the/ passage 61a. The forward portion of the passage is, of course, in communication with the interior of the shower head unit as is apparent from PEG. 10.

With the valve element disposed in its FIG. 11 position, the port 19 3 is in communication with one end of the circumferential groove 2%, the other end of which is in communication with the angular port 213.

As previously mentioned, the rods 1&7 connect the pistons 67a and 1125. These rods slidably and sealingly project through appropriate bores formed in the valve body 181 as is apparent from FIG. 8.

The shower head unit 1% includes a ball member 73a threadedly mounted on the piston 67a and having a central bore for the passage of fluid thercthrough. There is a socket member 79a disposed in sealing engagement with an Gaing a on the body ltia. A perforated disk 231 threads into the socket member 7% and compresses a spring lilies against a washer 233 which presses an O-riug 235 against the ball member 7301.

An annular molded rubber or plastic insert 241 has an outwardly projecting flange fitting within a groove 2 :3 formed in the interior of the socket member 79a. The insert is formed with a plurality of spray holes 2 so that water passing through the insert is broken up into a spray. A retaining disk 245 is held by a screw 247 against the perforated disk 231 to retain the insert 241 in place. The insert prevents minerals in hot water from clogging the spray openings.

In operation, it may be assumed that the parts are disposed in the positions they occupy as shown in FIG. 10. If it is desirable to provide a spray and also to project the spray head so that the socket member 79a may be turned to direct the spray as desired, the valve element 131 is raised and the valve element 161 is turned degrees to its FIG. 11 position. This means that water under pressure in passage 13:! passes upwardly into the bore 163 of the valve element 161 and passes rearwardly through port 221 and tube 211 to apply pressure against the rear face of the piston 1155. The oblique rear face of the tube 211 permits the ready exit of water from the rear end of the tube 211 into the passage 61a.

Water in the bore 1% also passes forwardly through the ports 223 and 225 through the spray head unit. As the piston 1435 moves forwardly from its FIG. 10 to its FIG. 11 position to project the spray head, water in the portion of the passageway 61a between the piston and the valve body 181 exhaust-s through the port 193 in the valve body and through the groove in the valve element 1:11, and specifically through the lower circumferential groove portion 269 which communicates with the angular drain port 213.

To retract the head, the valve element 161 is turned to its FIG. 10 position so that water under pressure in passageway 13a now passes through ports 191 and 1% against the front face of the piston 185 to urge the spray head to retract. Water disposed within the portion of the passage 51a between the rear face of the piston and the disk 111 may pass through the tube 211 and thence upwardly through portion 2&3, around in groove portion 2G5, downwardly in groove portion 287 and out through the drain port 213 and the drain holes 14? and 147. Water which 7 V happens to be contained within the forward portion of the passage 61a between the piston 67a and the valve body 7 181 can, ofcourse, exit through the front of the spray head or downwardly through the groove portion 237 into the drain ports 213.

FIGS. 1317 show the preferred form of fixture having a hollow elongate body b which is open at the back but closed at the front by a front wall 313. The body has a depending spout 15b at its front end for the discharge of water into a tub therebeneath. A base plug 315 (FIG;

' 13) fits in the rear end of the body against a shoulder and is secured in place such as by solder. The base plug has a central threaded portion 321 to thread on a supply pipe, such as the outlet water pipe of a tub. The base plug has a laterally ovate opening 322 for the passage of water therethrough. However, prior to the base plug 315 being installed, amain assembly is inserted into the body. This assembly includes a double-b arr-eled unit comprising a cylinder 323 and a tubular valve chamber member 325 of smaller diameter than the cylinder and of approximately the same length but secured to the cylinder in offset relation to the front end of the cylinder. The rear portion of the chamber member 325 thus projects beyond the rear end of the cylinder and such rear portion is of enlarged outer diameter and projects through and fits in a hole in a disk 327. The disk fits against a shoulder 329 V on the body and is secured in place such as by solder.

The front end of the cylinder carries a seal 331 which abuts against the front wall 313 and fits in an opening formed in the front wall. Slidably received by the seal 331 is a spray head housing 79b of a spray head unit generally indicated by the reference numeral 10011. The housing 79b has a socket formed at its rear end fitting on a hollow ball 73!). The socket and ball are maintained in en gagement by a compression spring 341 which bears at its front end against a retainer disk 343 and'at its rear end against a washer'345. The washer presses a seal 347 against the ball 73b.- The retainer disk 343 is formed with suitable fiow'openings and is held in place by a snap ring 349. A screw 351 holds a spray disk 353 in the front end of the housing 7%.

The ball 73b threads onto the frontend of a tubular piston rod 361 which fits at its rear end into a piston 67b and is secured thereto. The piston has an O-ling seal 6% engaging the interior of the'cylinder 323.

Forward movement of the piston is limited by a piston stop disk 363 having a snap ring 365. The ring is provided with ears 367 (FIG. 16) to fit within slots 369 formed in the cylinder. 323.

The tubular piston rod 361 extends through a hole in the stop disk, and the major portion of therod is of such a diameter as to form a seal with an O-ring 370 provided on the interior of the stop disk. However, the forward portion 361x of the rod is of reduced diameter to provide space between the rod and the O-ring when the rod is in its fully retracted position. The purpose of this space will be presently explained.

Fittingin the rear end of the cylinder 323 is the head 371 of a flow restricting member having a shank portion 373 projecting into the rear end portion of the piston rod.

The shank portion is of lesser diameter than that of the bore of the rod to provide an annular space between the shank and bore. The purpose of the flow restricting member Will be explained presently.

A valve means is provided for the fixture for the purposes of (1) cutting off flow of water to the spray head and the tub spout 15b, (2) providing for flow of water to the tub spout without fiow to the spray head, or (3) providing for flow of water to the spray head without flow to the tub spout. This valve means includes the tubular valve chamber member 325 (previously mentioned) which rotatably supports a cylindrical valve element 381 having two parallel co-extensive bores 383 and 385 which are blind at their rearward or right-hand ends.

Any suitable sealing arrangement may be provided between the valve element 381 and the chamber member 325.

For instance, the rear ends of theelement and member may be tapered as shown, or the element and member may be machined to close tolerances, or other sealingmeans may be used.

The front or left-handend of the valve element is formed with a short cylindrical bore of a diameter equal to the distance between the remote wall portions of the bores 383 and 385. Secured in the front end of the valve element 381 in such bore is the rear cylindrical portion 387 of. a valve element extension member 339. The member 339 has a rearwardly projecting plug portion 393 of a siz to fit in bore 335 to close off communication of the forward portion of such bore with the exterior of the valve element via a notch 391 which is formed in the wall of the valve element 331 for a purpose to appear presently.

The extension member 389 extends forwardly through a bushing 392 fixed in the front wall 313 of the body Nb,

and has a handle 393 secured thereto, as shown. Suitable sealing means in the form of a collar is provided on the valve stem member to prevent leakage around the valve stem in the bushing 332. A stop pin 395 (FIG. 17) projects laterally from the extension member and fits into a recess 397 cutin the outer end wall of the bushing 392. The recess is of such a circumferential length that the handle 393 can be'swung an arcuate distance of 180 degrees, T

The rear end of the valve element 381 has a lug 401 disposed eccentric to the axis of the valve element 381 and fitting under a valve lifter 4133 of inverted U-shape (FIG. 15). Thedepending legs of the lifter 433 are guided by guide lugs 4134 projecting rearwardly from the disk 327. The legs fit in slots formed in a secondary valve element 435 and are secured to. such element. The secondary valve element is of generally oval shape in end elcvation as is apparent from FIG. 15. The secondary valve element 405 cooperates with an oval valve seat 4G7 which is formed on the disk 327 and which defines a How opening 403. When thesecondary valve element is in register with the seat 437 it cuts 01f the supply of water to the spout 15b. However, when the parts are in the position shown in FIG. 13, which corresponds to the full line horizontal position of the handle 393 in FIG. 14, the opening 408 is open. Under' these circumstances water flows through spaces 409 (FIG. 16) located between the exterior of the cylinder 323 and the interior of the body 149b, and then passes out the spout 1511.

When the handle 333 is turned from its FIG. 14 full line horizontal position to the vertical broken line position, the lug 401 (FIG. 15), which is elongated in a direction transverse to the length of the valve element 381 will raise the auxiliary valve element 405 upwardly sufficiently to close the opening 438. Once the auxiliary valve element 435 is raised, the water pressure against the rear face of the element will force it against its seat 407 with sufficient force to hold it in its raised position despite lowering movement of the lug 401.

Returning for a moment to the position of the parts in FIG. 13 (the tub filling position), water not only passes directly to the tub spout in this'position of the parts, but water'also passes through a port 421m the valve chamber member 325 and through a port 423 in the valve element 381 into the bore 385. This Water passes through the bore 385 and to and through aligned ports 4-25, 427 and 429 formed, respectively, in the valve element 381, valve chamber member 325 and cylinder 323. This water flows past the reduced portion 361x and out through a slot 431 formed in the cylinder 323. Slot 431 is in registry with the spout 15b. This water washes oif the spray head to insure that no soap'is left on it to annoy the next occupant of the shower, and keeps that section of the cylinder clean.

fixture, the main hot and cold water supply handles (not shown, but conventionally provided above the tub fixture) are opened to supply water at the desired temperature to the fixture. Part of the operation of the fixture has been previously explained. However, in brief review, at the start, when the handle 393 is in its FIG. 14 horizontal full line tub filling position, the parts are disposed as shown in FIG. 13 so that water from the supply pipe flows through opening 322 in the base plug 315 and thence through the opening 498 in disk 327, around cylinder 323 and out of the tub spout 1512. Water also iiows through the bore 385 and thence downwardly and around the spray head 7% to Wash it and then flows out the spout 15b.

To stop the flow of water to the tub, the handle 393 is swung 90 clockwise to its FIG. 14 vertical broken line closed position, so that the lug 4M raises the auxiliary valve element 485 to close opening 4% and thus cut off flow of water to the spout 151) via opening 498. Turning the valve element 381 90 moves port 423 of the valve element 381 out of register with port 421 of the chamber member 325 to cut off flow of water to the tub spout 15b via the passage 385.

When it is desired to provide a shower, the handle 393 is swung 90 farther clockwise to its FIG. 14 horizontal broken line shower position. As a consequence, the lug 401 is moved to a horizontal position somewhat like that in FIG. 15 but above the axis of the valve element rather than below the axis. However, this has no eiiect on the auxiliary valve element 435, because, although the lug retreats from the midportion of the lifter 4%, the lifter remains raised since the frictional contact of the auxiliary valve element 495 against its seat so? (cause by the water pressure behind the seat) will retain the auxiliary valve element and its litter in their raised positions.

Movement of the handle 393 to its FIG. 14 horizontal broken line position also brings a port 441 in the valve element 381 into register with the port 421 so that water passes into the bore 383 (which now occupies the position of the bore 385 in FIG. 13}. This water passes through a port seem the valve element and through ports 445 and 447, formed, respectively, in the chamber member 325 and the cylinder 323, into the rear end of the cylinder behind the piston 67b. Because of the how restricting member 371, 373, water pressure builds up behind the piston to provide suificient pressure to overcome the static friction of the spray head unit and move the piston and unit forwardly. The extent of travel of the piston 67b is such that it moves beyond the shank 373 to fully open the bore of the piston rod 361. Thus, the spray head is ejected from the body 18:) to a position in which it can be turned to a desired position by the user, and water is supplied to the spray head to provide an appropriate spray of water. Despite the fact that the bore of the rod 361 is fully open when the spray head is ejected, there is still suificient pressure behind the auxiliary valve element 495 to hold it in its elevated closed position.

While the piston 67b is advancing to the left, water in the cylinder to the left of the piston can escape througi the ports 425 and 427 and the notch 391 and pass out through the tub spout 1512.

If it is desired to temporarily discontinue showering, the handle 393 is turned counterclockwise 60 (as parts are shown in FIG. 14) to stop the supply of water to the spray head.

To retract the spray head unit, the handle 3% is swung counterclockwise back to its FIG. 14 full line position so that the parts assume the positions shown in FIG. 13 (with the exception of auxiliary valve element 4%, which remains closed). Water now passe into the bore 385 and into the cylinder in front of the piston 67?). This forces the piston rearwardly, and the small amount of water trapped behind the piston merely escapes through the piston rod and drains out the head.

Now that the showering and/or tub filling operations are over, the main water supply handles can be turned off, and the resulting drop in pressure behind the auxiliary valve element 405 decreases the pressure of contact of such element against its seat 497 to permit the element to drop to its lower FIG. 13 position. This conditions the fixture for subsequent operations.

The flow restricting member 371, 373 is particularly useful in areas of low water pressure, and in any event causes faster ejection of the spray head. However, if high or adequate water pressure is available, the restricting member can be eliminated and the rear end of the cylinder merely closed off.

FIGS. 18-20 show a modified form of the invention which in overall structure resembles the preferred form of the invention. It includes a body We closed at its rear by a base plug 315. Within the body is a double-barreled unit including a cylinder 323 and a valve chamber member 325, the latter projecting through a disk 327a.

A valve element 381a is rotatably supported by the chamber member 325 and operated by a handle 3%. The element has bores 333a and 385a which are blind at their left-hand ends. The here 33541 has a port 423 in register with a port 421 in the chamber member in the tub filling position of the ports as shown in FIG. 18. The rear end of the bore 383a has inserted therein a seat 453 whereas the rear end of the bore 385a has inserted therein a seat 4-55.

The valve element 381a has a third bore 456 (FIG. 19) located from the bores 383a and 385a. There is a seat 457 in the rear end of the lbore 456. There is also a blank 45? or false seat from seat 457 as is apparent from FIG. 20 to keep member 461 in alignment.

In sealing contact with the seats is a circular valve member $61 which is pressed against the seats by a spring strip 463 to which it is secured by pins 465. The spring strip is mounted on a pair of posts 467 which are mounted on the disk $2'7a. The valve member has a single port 46% (FIG. 18).

Operation The FIG. 18 position of the ports is the tub filling position. In such position, the port 469 registers with the seat 4 55 to supply water to the bore 385a which through ports 471 and 473 communicates with the space rearwardly of the cylinder 323. Water flows from such space along both sides of the cylinder to the spout 1512.

To eject the spray head and provide a shower, the valve element 381a is rotated 180 so that seat 453 now registers with the port 469. Water passes into the bore 383a (which is now-lowermost) and passes through a port 443 in the valve element and ports 445 and 447 into the rear of the cylinder to push the piston to the left and supply water to the spray head.

To retract the spray head, the valve element 381a is rotated 90 to bring the seat 457 into register with the port 469. Water now passes through the third bore 456 and out through a port 4'77 and then through ports 42'! and 42? to push the piston to the right to retract the spray head.

It is apparent that the only time that water is supplied to the tub spout 15b is when the seat 455 is in register with the port 459. It is further apparent that when the valve element is rotated so that the seats 453 and 457 flank the port 469 all the seats are now closed, and since port 423 is not now in register with port 421, water is cut off from both the spray head and the tub spout.

Having described the invention in what is considered to be the preferred embodiment thereof, it is desired that it be understood that the invention is not to be limited other than by the provisions of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A tub fixture comprising a fixture body having a base end adapted to be mounted on a water supply pipe, said body being formed with a main passage having a first passage portion for conducting water from said supply pipe to a second passage portion which is angularly l l related tosaid first passage portion and which provides an outlet for the discharge of water from said first passage portion, said outlet being located in the opposite end' of said body, said body being formed with a second passage parallel to said first passage portion and opening outwardly of said body at said opposite end at a place forwardly of. the forward end of said first passage portion, said second passage being connected to said main passage, a spray head unit slidably mounted in said second passage for movement from an inner concealed position to an outer exposed position and being adjustable in said latter position to spray water in various directions, and asleeve valve movably mounted within said main passage for selectively controlling the flow of water from said main passage to said second passage and from said main passage to said outlet, said valve having a how passage approximately of the size of said main passage and communicating therewith and a port of approximately the size of said outlet and registering therewith in a given position of said valve, said valve having a stem projecting through the front wall of said body, and a handle on said stern disposed beneath the forward portion of second passage so as not to interfere with the adjustment of said spray head unit.

2. A tub fixture for mounting on the horizontal water supply pipe of a tub, said fixture comprising an elongated fixture body having a forward end and rearwardly located base end, means for mounting said body in an axial horizontal position on the water supply pipe with said forward end projecting away from said pipe, said body being formed with a first horizontal passage for conducting water from said supply pipe to a laterally extending downwardly directed outlet formed in the forward end of said body, saidbody being formed with a second horizontal passage opening outwardly of said body at the forward end face thereof, said second passage being connected to said first passage, and a spray head unit movably mounted in said second passage for movement from an inner substantially concealed position to an outer exposed position, said spray head unit including a finst part slidably arranged in said second passage and a second part carrying a forwardly directed spray head, a pivotal joint connecting said parts and being disposed at the outer end of said second passage in the outer position of said unit and providing for adjustment of said spray head from a horizontal position to a downward position generally in the same direction as that of said outlet and also to other positions, and a valve for controlling the flow of water from said first passage to said second passage.

3. A tub fixture comprising a fixture body having a base end adapted to be mounted on a water supply pipe, said body being formed with a main passage for conducting water from said supply pipe to an outlet formed in the opposite end of said body, said body being formed with'a second passage opening outwardly of said body at said opposite end, said second passage being connected to said main passage, and a spray head unit mounted in said second passage for movement from an inner concealed position to an outer exposed position, said unit including a piston slidably arranged in said second passage, said unit also'including a tubular spray-head adjustably connected to said piston so that when exposed it may be moved to difierent positions 'angularly related to the axis of said unit, said head in such angularly related positions projecting laterally beyond the confines of the geometric extension of-said second passage so that said head slidably engages the wall of said second passage when said unit is retracted so that said head is automatically caused to assume an axial position within said second passage, and valve means for'optionally directing the flow of water through said main passage or to said second passage and behind said piston so as to cause said spray head to project from said body. 7

4. A tub fixture comprising an elongate fixture body having a base end adapted to be mounted in a horizontal position on a water supply pipe, said body being formed with a generally axial main passage for conducting water from said supply pipe to an outlet formed in the opposite end of said body, said body being formed with a second passage parallel with said main passage and open ing outwardly of said body at said opposite end, said second passage being connected to said main passage, and a spray head unit mounted in said second passage for movement from an inner concealed position to an outer exposed position and being adjustable in said lat ter position to spray water in various directions, and a valve for controlling the flow 'of water from said main passage to said second passage, sealing means between said spray head unit and the wall of said second passage to prevent the escape of'water between the spray head unit and thewall of the second passage and confine the water to flow through the spray head unit.

5. A tub fixture comprising a fixture body having a base end adapted to be mounted on a water supply pipe, said body being formed with a main passage for conducting water from said supply 'pipe to an outlet formed in the opposite end of said body, said body being formed with a second passage opening outwardly of said body at said opposite end, said second passage being connected to said main passage, and a spray head unit mounted in said second passage for movement from an inner concealed position to an outer exposed position, said unit including piston means slidably arranged in said second passage, said unit also including a tubular spray head and a ball-and-socket joint connecting said piston means and said head, said spray head having cylindrical walls having an exterior diameter approximating that of the interior diameter of said second passage, annular sealing means at the outer end of said second passage forming a seal between the walls of said second passage and the exterior surface of said spray head and slidably engaging said spray head so that said spray head is guided accordingly, and valve means for directing the flow of water to said main passage or to said second passage.

6. A tub fixture as set forth in claim 2 in which said second part is slidably received within said second passage so that said second part is automatically returned to an axial position when it is retracted.

7. A tub fixture as set forth in claim 2 in which said first part comprises a piston and in which said second passage is connected to said first passage at a place rearwardly of said piston so that water pressure behind said piston can project said spray head unit from its concealed position.

8. A tub fixture as set forth in claim 7 in which said second part is slidably received within said second passage so that it is automatically turned to an axial position when said second part is retracted. V 9. A tub fixture comprising a fixture body having a base end adapted to be mounted on a water supply pipe, said body being formed with a main passage for conducting water from said supply pipe to an outlet formed in the opposite end of said body, said body being formed with a secondtpassage opening outwardly of said body at said opposite end, and a spray head unit mounted in said second passage for movement from an inner concealed position to an outer exposed position, said unit includingpiston means slidably arranged in said second passage, said unit also including a tubular sprayhead and a ball-and-socket joint connecting said piston means and said head, said spray head having cylindrical walls having anexterior diameter approximating that of the interior diameter of said second passage, annular sealing means at the outer end of said second passage forming a seal between the walls of said second passage and the exterior surface of said spray head and slidably engaging said spray head so that said spray head is guided accord ingly, and valve means for closing off the flow of water through said outlet and for establishing communication between said first passage and said piston means at a face of said piston means rearwardly of said tubular spray head.

10. A tub fixture comprising a fixture body having a base end adapted to be mounted on a water supply pipe, said body being formed with a main passage for conducting water from said supply pipe to an outlet formed in the opposite end of said body, said body being formed with a second passage opening outwardly of said body at said opposite end, said second passage being connected to said main passage, and a spray head unit mounted in said second passage for movement from an inner concealed position to an outer exposed position, said unit including a piston slidably arranged in said second passage and operable when water pressure acts on one face thereof to move said unit to its exposed position, said unit also including a tubular spray head and a ball-and-socket joint connecting said piston and said head, said spray head having cylindrical walls having an exterior diameter approximating that of the exterior diameter of said second passage, annular sealing means at the outer end of said second passage forming a seal between the walls of said second passage and the exterior surface of said spray head and slidably engaging said spray head so that said spray head is guided accordingly, and valve means for directing the flow of water to said main pass-age or to said second passage to said one face of said piston, and also being operable to control the flow of water to a second piston for retracting said spray head unit from its exposed position.

11. A water fixture comprising,

a fixture body,

said body being formed with a water inlet and a first water outlet in spaced relation to one another,

a water discharge unit providing a second water outlet,

said water discharge unit being mounted in said body for movement from a retracted position to a projecting position,

piston means said body and connected to said unit for projecting and retracting the same,

passageway means in said body for conducting water from said inlet to both of said outlets through said body, and to both sides of said piston means,

a single handle movable to any of three positions,

and valve means actuated by said single handle, and operable when said handle in one position to cut ofl communication between said inlet and both said outlets, and operable when said handle is in another of its positions to place said inlet in communication with said first outlet and with the side of said piston means which causes retraction of said discharge unit, but out off communication with said second outlet, and operable when said handle is moved to still another of its positions to place said inlet in communication with said piston means in a manner to project said water discharge unit and supply water to said second outlet but to cut oif communication between said inlet and said first outlet.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,484,888 2/24 Johnson 239-204 1,924,771 8/33 Brown et a1 4-191 2,000,7 91 5/35 Schmiedeknecht. 2,151,214 3/39 Kramer 239443 2,842,154 7/58 Lindsley 239-446 2,903,710 9/59 Pearson 4-145 FOREIGN PATENTS 762,294 1/34 France.

LOUIS I. DEMBO, Primary Examiner.

EVERETT W. KIRBY, Examiner. 

11. A WATER FIXTURE COMPRISING, A FIXTURE BODY, SAID BODY BEING FORMED WITH A WATER INLET AND A FIRST WATER OUTLET IN SPACED RELATION TO ONE ANOTHER, A WATER DISCHARGE UNIT PROVIDING A SECOND WATER OUTLET, SAID WATER DISCHARGE UNIT BEING MOUNTED IN SAID BODY FOR MOVEMENT FROM A RETRACTED POSITION TO A PROJECTING POSITION, PISTON MEANS WITHIN SAID BODY AND CONNECTED TO SAID UNIT FOR PROJECTING AND RETRACTING THE SAME, PASSAGEWAY MEANS IN SAID BODY FOR CONDUCTING WATER FROM SAID INLET TO BOTH OF SAID OUTLETS THROUGH SAID BODY, AND TO BOTH SIDES OF SAID PISTON MEANS, A SINGLE HANDLE MOVABLE TO ANY OF THREE POSITIONS, AND VALVE MEANS ACTUATED BY SAID SINGLE HANDLE, AND OPERABLE WHEN SAID HANDLE IS IN ONE POSITION TO CUT OFF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SAID INLET AND BOTH SAID OUTLETS, AND OPERABLE WHEN SAID HANDLE IS IN ANOTHER OF ITS POSITIONS TO PLACE SAID INLET IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID FIRST OUTLET AND WITH THE SIDE OF SAID PISTON MEMBER WHICH CAUSES RETRACTION OF SAID DISCHARGE UNIT, BUT CUT OFF COMMUNICATION WITH SAID SECOND OUTLET, AND OPERABLE WHEN SAID HANDLE IS MOVED TO STILL ANOTHER OF ITS POSITIONS TO PLACE SAID INLET IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID PISTON MEANS IN A MANNER TO PROJECT SAID WATER DISCHARGE UNIT AND SUPPLY WATER TO SAID SECOND OUTLET BUT TO CUT OFF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SAID INLET AND SAID FIRST OUTLET. 